How to Make a Round Waldorf Head, Part 2: Adding Doll Skin Fabric

In Part 1 of this tutorial, we shaped the head foundation by stuffing a length of tubular cotton gauze with wool, and tying off the neck. In Part 2, I’ll show you how to cover the head with a smooth layer of cotton interlock doll “skin.”

Materials:

For this phase of construction, you will need:

one small round head foundation, as completed in Part1;

cotton interlock (tee shirt knit) in a flesh tone of your choice for the covering;

strong craft thread to match your doll skin fabric.

1. From the doll skin fabric, cut a rectangle 4 inches wide by 5 inches long. The greatest stretch of the fabric should be across the 4-inch dimension. Fold in half lengthwise. Using a small zig-zag stitch, sew a 1/4-inch seam to form a tube 5 inches long.

2. Thread a hand-sewing needle with about 24 inches of doubled thread. Take long running stitches around one open end of the head tube, 1/4 inch from the raw edge. Do not tie the thread off. Turn the tube right side out.

3. Pull the doll skin tube over the stuffed head, positioning the gathering stitches on the end of the tube at the top of the head. Pull the gathering stitches to close the tube flat over the top of the head. Take a few stitches to secure, then tie the thread off.

4. Cut a 12-inch length of strong thread or dental floss and tie around the neck with a double overhand knot. Pull the doll skin fabric down smoothly over the head, neck, and chest stub. The skin fabric should fit tightly enough around the head that most wrinkles are stretched out. Gently pull the thread snug, while smoothing any remaining wrinkles down and towards the seam at the head back.

5. Wrap and tie the thread around the neck once or twice more, pulling in tightly, then tie off. Remove the safety pin from the chest stub, then stitch the bottom of the head tube closed.